May 2009 Warbler Newsletter Portland Audubon Society

8/9/2019 May 2009 Warbler Newsletter Portland Audubon Society

1/12

Audubon Society o Portland5151 NW Cornell RoadPortland, Oregon 97210

Page 2 From the Director & Free TripsPage 3 ......................Calendar of EventsPage 4 & 5 .. Conservation & Care CenterPage 6 & 7 ................................Trips & ToursPage 8 ......Nature Store & SanctuariesPage 9 .......... Field Notes & VolunteersPage 10 ........................Birding WeekendsPage 11 ........................IBA of the MonthPage 12 ................. Map/Hours/Sponsors

Inside this issue

W arbler AUDUBON SOCIETY of PORTLAND

MAY 2009Volume 73 Number 5

In this issue...Great Blue Heron

Week begins

See page 2

What if you nda baby bird?

See page 5

More BirdathonTrips

See page 12

Spring has returned! Leaves are out, owers areblooming, and birds are singing. What better way tocelebrate the beauty of our region than naturescapingyour home with native plants?Native plants are adaptedto grow in o r soils and climate, req ire less care thanexotic ornamentals, and provide habitat for birdsand other native wildlife . Come to Portland Audubons13th annualNative Plant Sale on Sat rday, May 16 andS nday, May 17, 10am4pm, stock up on plants, andsupport our restoration efforts in our sanctuaries.

Once again our sale boastsover 100 species of nativetrees, shr bs, herbaceo s perennials, b lbs, grasses,and vines to enhance your yard, garden, or acreage. Asalways, well have our wonderful shopping lists on hand,which were painstakingly compiled by long-time Audubonvolunteer Gregg Everhart.O r shopping lists provide awealth of information on all the plants available : typicalsize, growing conditions, habitat value, and even the color of the ower and fruit type. You can use the shopping list to ndout what will grow in that moist, shady back corner of youryard, or which plants will help you attract butter ies andhummingbirds.More comprehensive information onindivid al plants is posted above the plants themselves ,including photographs of the plants in bloom.

Of course, our ne team of knowledgeable vol nteerswill be on hand to help answer any and all of yo r botanical q estions . This year we will also feature aninformation booth with staff from o r BackyardHabitat Certification Program . Turn your own yardinto a wildlife sanctuary! In addition to all the greatdetails on native plants, you can get the big picture onnat rescaping, rain gardens, invasive plant removal,and more . The 4-County Cooperative Weed ManagementArea (CWMA) also plans to set up a table with informationon managing and removing invasive plants from youryard.

Workshops on May 16thWe are pleased to offer two free workshops on Saturday,

May 16th:At 1pm, join Amy Whitworth of Plan-ItEarth Design in a disc ssion of rain gardens,or bioswales, for yo r home. What is the

connection between rainwater runoff, habitat, and ahealthy, beautiful garden? A rain garden combines the rightplants with the right location for a pleasing garden featurethat enhances populations of bene cial insects, birds, andwildlife. Find out if a rain garden is right for your yard.Bring your questions and ideas!

Festival of the Birds! Saturday, May 9th,10am 3pm Sellwood Park, just south of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

Join Audubon Society of Portland, U.S. Fish and WildlifeService, and the City of Portland for a Celebration of Migratory Birds.Oaks Bottom and other natural areasin Portland are important to migratingbirds for nesting, wintering, resting,and refueling. Come and see birdshailing from as far away as Argentinain Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, theCity of Portlands rst designatedMigratory Bird Park.

Guided Bird Walks, 9am2pm . Come enjoybird walks led by local naturalists. Youll be amazed by thelarge variety of migratory birds that use Oaks Bottom andother Portland natural areas duringtheir migratory route.

Childrens Activities . Kidswill love the bird-related hands-onactivities for children ages 311.

Storytelling and Live Music by local storytellers and musicians. Come hear songs andstories about migratory birds in the Portland area.

This is a free festival for the whole family to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. No registration is required .

13th Annual Native Plant Sale

At 2pm, Kathryn Leech, APLD, River CityGardens, will disc ss s stainable practicesthat can be incorporated into yo r garden- b ilding process. Beginning with our own small

corner of the earth, we can make choices that honor ourfellow creatures and plants, leaving a vibrant, balancedearth for future generations.

In addition, a wonderful selection of books on nativeplants, wildlife, and nat rescaping will be available atour Nature Store. Well also have aslide show in HeronHall that presents ideas for sing native plants in thelandscape , and well even have a small assortment of teasand other prod cts made from plants native to o rregion.

Ethnobotany PresentationMay 12 at 7pm in Heron HallCant wait until the weekend? Join Metro naturalistand interpretive plannerDeb Scrivens for a Nature Night presentation onT esday, May 12, at 7pm onEthnobotany , which is the study of how humans useplants. Debs presentation will focus on plants native to ourregion and how they have been and continue to be used by people for food, shelter, tools, and more.

2pm

1pm

P

o r t

l a n d

A u d u b o n ,

T o m

C o s t e l

l o , J

a s o n

S a v a g e

May 1617 (Sat.Sun.), 10am4pm by Tom Costello, Sanctuaries Director

Education Birds from Audubon Society of Portlands Wildlife Care Center. Meet in personFinnegan the Peregrine Falcon, Julio theGreat Horned Owl, Hazel the NorthernSpotted Owl, Jack the AmericanKestrel, Ruby the Turkey Vulture, andAristophanes the Common Raven.

Interactive Displays : Visit withlocal partners of the Migratory BirdTreaty Program and nd out what ishappening locally to protect and enhance our birdpopulations.

Savannah Sparrow Steve Berliner

Kestrel female Jim Cruce

Great Egret Jim Cruce


2/12

From the Executive Director

Connecting Greenis all about access to nature in thecity.Connecting Greeneld trips will introduce youto some of the regions most scenic and wildlife-richnatural areas and parks and the ever-growing regionaltrails network.Our May and early June trips are designed to celebrate the 23rd annual Great Blue Heron Week, recognizing the Great Blue Heron as Portlands official city bird .

Registration is limited, so sign up soon at www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/wic. If you dont have internet access, call 503-292-6855 ext.122 to register. Trips are free except theSternwheeler Rosecruise.For all bicycle and paddletrips, bring yo r own eq ipment helmetsand life jackets are req ired . Arrange canoe andkayak rentals at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe (www.aldercreek.com, 503-285-0464) or Portland Kayak Co.(www.portlandrivercompany.com, 503-459-4050).Directions for allConnecting Greentrips will be sent toregistrants. Participants will be limited in number, sosign up early!

Connecting Green Herons in the City: CelebratingGreat Blue Heron Week

Thurs., May 28th, 7:30am8:30amMorning Walk at Nadaka Nature ParkIn celebration of Great Blue Heron Week, join Jim Labbewith Audubon Society of Portlandand Lee Dayfieldwith Wilkes East NeighborhoodAssociation for a morning stroll through Nakada NaturePark in West Gresham. Well explore the natural andhuman history of this unique neighborhood nature parkand learn about efforts afoot to expand the park, improveaccess and environmental interpretation, and enhance itswildlife habitat. Well also begin documenting bird speciesinhabiting the park and discuss the value of urban naturalareas to avian biodiversity.

Sat., May 30th, 1pm4pmOaks Bottom Wildlife RefugeCelebrate Great Blue Heron Week by joiningMike Ho ck for a stroll around the 160-acre Oaks Bottom WildlifeRefuge. Mike has led tours at the Bottoms for over 30 yearsand is intimately familiar with the history of Oaks Bottombeing designated as Portlands rst of cial urban wildliferefuge and current efforts to restore sh and wildlife habitatthroughout the refuge. The walk is a two-mile loop on bothpaved and uneven dirt paths, with two moderate hills, andis appropriate for families.

Sun., May 31st, 4pm6pmSternwheeler Rose Ross Island Cruise Join Portland Audubon and the Urban GreenspacesInstitute on a family-oriented two-hour sternwheelercruise around Ross Island to celebrate Great Blue HeronWeek. If you dont canoe or kayak, this is time for you andyour family to see Great Blue Herons, Osprey, and BaldEagle nests. Well cruise up through the Holgate Channeland circumnavigate Ross, Hardtack, and East Islands. Theleaders areBob Sallinger (Audubon Society of Portland),Mike Ho ck, (Urban Greenspaces Institute), andRick

Bastasch (Portland Healthy Rivers Program). There isa $20 per person fee (children 5 and under are free) tocover the cost of the boat rental.

Sun., May 31st, Noon4pmSmith & Bybee Lakes Paddle JoinTroy Clark with Friends of Smith & Bybee Lakes,Portland Audubons Jim Labbe, and Metro PresidentDavid Bragdon for an afternoon paddle around Smith& Bybee Lakes. This is a great way to celebrate Great BlueHeron Week! Well paddle the open water and willowthickets of Smith Lake, learn about recent progressenhancing wetlands at the Smith & Bybee Lakes, and takein the avian wonders of Spring.

I have been thinking a lot aboutthe momentum behind the greeneconomy mantra being loudlypromoted by government leaders inresponse to such things as climatechange, foreign oil independence, andthe road toward economic recovery.

This matter hit home when I attended an Arbor Daycelebration last month that was held at a local Portlandelementary school. It was just about the perfect early springday and the perfect outdoor setting. I stood behind classesof fourth and fth graders who were seated cross-legged onthe damp grass, listening attentively to adults explainingthe virtues of trees. Here it is, I realized, the foundation fora green economy: Kids in an outdoor classroom, sharingshovels and planting trees.

Meryl Redisch

May 6 (Wed.), 8am11amRidgefield NWR, Washington Join us on a walk on the Kiwa Trail looking for rails andbitterns. The trail opens May 1st so this is a chance for greatmarsh birding. The trail is a at 1.5-mile walk. Dress for theweather and beginners welcome. MeetRon Escano (503-771-3454 for directions) at the Kiwa Trailhead,Ridge eld NWR River S Unit, at 8am.

Field Trips No registration required show up at time and place given. Call rst if indicated.

An April cover story inThe Oregonianidenti ed green jobsas those that build and maintain wind turbines, developsmart meters for utility customers, or install solar panels,then continued on to state that the likelihood of landingone of those high-paying positions is highly unlikely.

While I was glad the article concluded by noting that green

jobs can and should be broader than what was described,I would go further. We can build all of the wind turbines,solar panels, and fuel-ef cient cars and of ce towerswe want if the sole measure of our success is to keepunemployment at some calculated rate that is universallyacceptable. While the development of carbon-neutralproducts will also serve to reduce greenhouse gases andother pollutants, here and around the world, its only onepiece of the green-economy picture.

In my view, a green economy can only be built andsustained if healthy communities are developed and

The Foundation of a Green Economy

Magpies BirdathonMay 5 & 6 (Tues. & Wed.),7am4:30pm

JoinDenny Graham and Mike Skinner for the MagpiesBirdathon, comprised of two separate trips you mayattend one or both days. OnT esdaywe meet in the Mt.Tabor Volcano parking lot for birding Mt. Tabor and thenRidge eld NWR. Then onWednesday we meet at theTualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center, 15655 SWMillikan Way, Beaverton. Well spend the early morningthere looking for songbirds, then well proceed to Tualatin NWR, Gotter Prairie, and Jackson Bottom. Bring a lunchand water both days. For information call Denny (503-659-1245 home, 503-351-8706 cell) or Mike (503-590-3963home, 503-686-5126 cell).

...love to go birding during the weekdays. We start a little later, go a little slower,and try to keep a restroom in sight.Magpies

The Sternwheeler Rose plies the Willamette

Mike Houck

healthy natural systems are present to support it. A greeneconomy begins when: Everyone has equitable access to parks and natural areas; Rivers, streams, and forests support a diversity of native

plants and wildlife; Good-quality health care is available and affordable

to everyone;

Good-quality food is available and affordable toeveryone; and Neighborhoods, housing, and school choices are

available and affordable to everyone.

I hope that as the momentum behind a green economycontinues to grow, more and more people will realizethat its not only the manufacturing of parts and piecesor the substitution of green for blue-collar jobs. Its thedevelopment of whole communities, and can begin withthe planting of a tree.

May 16 (Sat.), 8am10amMt. Tabor Park Join us on this months walk co-sponsored by AudubonSociety of Portland andBackyard Bird Shop. ThisSoutheast Portland park is a haven for migrant andresident songbirds, and lucky birders may be rewardedwith ocks of warblers. Call Backyard Bird Shop(503-496-0908) for information and to reserve a spot.Beginners welcome!

May 27 (Wed.), 8am11amRidgefield NWR, Washington Join us on a walk on the Kiwa Trail looking for rails andbitterns. The trail opens May 1st so this is a chance forgreat marsh birding. The trail is a at 1.5-mile walk. Dressfor the weather and beginners welcome. MeetRon Escano (503-771-3454 for di rections) at the Kiwa Trailhead,Ridge eld NWR River S Unit, at 8am.

White River Oak Woodlands andRimrock Country May 21 (Thurs.), 8am6pm

Interested in exploring the unique oak woodland andbasalt rimrock country of North-Central Oregon? Thereis the chance to see Lewiss Woodpeckers, Ash-throatedFlycatchers, Lazuli Buntings, Canyon Wrens, and GoldenEagles. Well spend most of our time on the White RiverWildlife Management Area around Tygh Valley. Meet at theOutlet Mall parking lot in Troutdale at 8am and plan on anall-day adventure, getting back after 6pm. CallRon Escano at 503-771-3454 for details and toreserve a spot.

Conboy NWRMay 28 (Thurs.), 7:30am3pmMeet leaderLo Fredd at Lewis & Clark State Park onthe east side of the Sandy River. First stop is a refugenear Mt. Adams, about 50 miles. Then we proceed on toConboy NWR, where well walk about a mile or so on leveltrail. Bring lunch and scopes, and dress for the weather(sun and wind exposure). For information contact Lou [email protected] or 503-655-1856 (home) or503-706-8173 (cell).

2 MAY 2009 www.audubonportland.org


3/12

27

20

13

6

26

12

5

19

MAY Calendar of EventsMON TUE WEDSUN FRI SATTHUR

Note: An l c r n c rs n f h s ssu an pasWarblers s a a labl n ur w bs , www.au ub np r lan . rg/ab u /n wsl r

25

11

4

18 21

7

14

28

27 3026 2928

24

10

3

17

1

22

8

15

29

23

9

2

16

30

52 6331 41

B r ng B ear R s n B r s F ltr p, 7am (MarchWarbler )

B r ng W k n

(Apr lWarbler )

= B r S ng Walk, 7am (p. 10)

C ns r a nL c ur aor g n Z : W lfManag m n nor g n, 7pm(Apr lWarbler )

R g nal Gr w hop n H us ,5pm7pm(Apr lWarbler )

Spr ng H k ng L c urS r s, 7pm(Apr lWarbler )

B r a h n r ps(p.12)

B r a h n r ps (p.12)

Blu grass LMus c Jam,12:30pm H r n Hall


Magp s B r a h n,7am (p.2)

B r rs N gh , 7:30pmH r n Hall


Magp s B r a h n,7am (p.2)

R g f l NWR,8am (p.2)


FeStivAL oF tHe BiRdS!n S llw Park,

10am3pm (p.1)

Mon., June 1st, 8am11amOaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge(See May 30th trip for details.)

(Note: the June 4th Twilight Bike Ride has been canceled.)

Fri., June 5th, 7am9amBirding Bike Ride along the Columbia SloughIn celebration of Great Blue Heron Week, join Jim Labbe, UrbanConservationist with Portland Audubon, andBarb Grover , Events

Planner with the Bike Gallery, for a morning bike ride along theColumbia Slough Trail. Well take a leisurely, pre-commute bike ride along the Lower ColumbiaSlough trail and enjoy the lively birdlife to be encountered on a spring morning. Well also learnabout future extensions of the Columbia Slough Trail and how citizens can get involved inprotecting and restoring the Slough. You are responsible for bringing and maintaining your ownbicycle; pumps and patch kits recommended.

Fri., June 5th, 8am10amRock Creek Herons and Norm Thompson Campus JoinMike Ho ckon a hike along Hillsboros Rock Creek Greenway andexplore the wetlands and riparian habitat at the Norm Thompson corporateheadquarters. We will also get close-up views of two Great Blue Heron nestingcolonies at Rock Creek what better way to celebrate Great Blue Heron week?

Sat., June 6th, 9amNoonBig Four Corners Paddle Join Jim Labbewith Portland Audubons Urban Conservation Program,Dave Helzer from Portlands

Bureau of Environmental Services, andKathy Majidi with Gresham Environmental Services tocelebrate Great Blue Heron Week with a Columbia Slough paddle through Big Four Corners, the Cityof Portlands fourth-largest natural area. Well explore the unique bottomland habitats and remnantoak woodlands along the Slough, paddle and bird our way upstream into Gresham, and discuss thechallenges and opportunities to enhance and restore the Upper Columbia Slough.

Ar exh b anSal b g ns(p.8)

Na ur N gh :e hn b an n hPac f c N r hw s ,7pm (p.4)

B r a h n r ps(p.12)

M . tab r, 8am (p.2)

NAtive PLANt SALe,10am4pm(W rksh ps: 1pm & 2pm) (p.1)

S ngb r F s , tuala nNWR, 10am2:30pm (p.5)


NAtive PLANt SALe,10am4pm (p.1)

W lan B r sClass, 7pm(p.7)

Magp s s WhR r oak W lan san R mr ck C un r ,8am (p.2)

B ar M ng,7pm H r n Hall

B r ng W k n(p.10)

B r ng W k n(p.10)

Na ur S r oPeN,A m n cl s

B r ng W k n(p.10)

MeMoRiAL dAy

R g f l NWR, 8am(p.2)

Malh ur F ra b g ns (p.6)

es a Plann ng S m nar,7:30pm (p.11)

Magp s s C nbNWR, 7:30am (p.2)

GBH W k: Na akaNa ur Park, 7:30am(p.2)

GBH W k: oaksB m, 1pm (p.2)

PeReGRiNeS & PiNotS rnwh l r b n ff r W l l f Car C n r,5:30pm (p.3)

GBH W k: Sm h &B b Lak s Pa l ,N n (p.2)

GBH: S rnwh l rR ss islan Cru s , 4pm(p.2)

GBH W k: oaksB m, 8am (p.2)

B r rs N gh7:30pm H r n Hall

GBH W k: B r ngB k R al ngC lumb a Sl ugh, 7am (p.2)

GBH: R ck Cr k H r nsan N rm th mps nCampus, 8am (p.2)

GBH W k: B g F urC rn rs Pa l , 9am(p.2)

Alaska r p b g ns (p.6)

B r ng W k n (p.10)

Bring your friends and family to this fabulous and fun river wildlife touraboard Portlands Sternwheeler Rose. Enjoy cocktail hour on the deck of the boat as our Conservation Director,Bob Sallinger, entertains us withcommentary and insight into the natural beauty and wildlife of Portland from ariver perspective. A delicious sit-down dinner and raf e will follow.

Proceeds go directly to help the wild animals thatget assistance from Audubons Wildlife Care Center.

Cost of $75 per person includes dinner, aglass of wine, and entertainment. No-hostbar will be available on board. Tickets canbe purchased individually, or there are twotable options: table for four for $300, ortable for six for $450.

For information contact Deb Sheaffer [email protected] or 503-292-6855 ext.125. Register on our website,www.audubonportland.org.

We hope you can join us onthis pleasant evening cruise.

Peregrines & Pinot , aSternwheeler Rose benefitfor Portland AudubonsWildlife Care CenterSaturday, May 30 5:308:30pm

Great Blue Heron at OaksBottom Mike Houck

Birding and kayaking Mike Houck

Plan AheadSee upcomingWarbler newsletters or visit www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/wic for details about the following trip celebrating Great Blue Heron Week!

Sun., June 7th, 8am11amRoss Island and Holgate Channel Regatta with Friends of Ross IslandParticipate in a colorful otilla of canoes and kayaks on this paddle around Ross Island tocelebrate the conclusion of Great Blue Heron Week.

3MAY 2009www.audubonportland.org


4/12

Conservation News

Help Audubonand Depavethis Summer!by Jim Labbe, Urban Conservationist

This summer Audubon Society of Portland isteaming up with Depave, a City Repair projectworking to remove impervious paved surfaces

and to re-green neighborhoods in North, Northeast,and Southeast Portland (and beyond).

Audubon is helping to provide native plant materialsand to recruit volunteers for May work parties atDepaves Fargo Garden site, located at the intersectionof North Fargo and North Williams Avenue. The projectwill be a hands-on opportunity for Audubon volunteersto improve access to nature and enhance wildlife habitatand air and water quality in the park-de cient Eliotneighborhood in North Portland.

If you are interested in helping, see www.Depave.orgfor work party dates and details or contact Jim Labbe at [email protected] or 971-222-6112.

The enforcement of laws for the protection of hawks has not been satisfactory. Protective statutes, secured only by great labor,remain unenforced in many states because most game wardensdecline to make arrests for their infraction, and if arrests aremade, magistrates often have refused to impose fines.

T. Gilbert Pearson, President Emeritus of National Audubon Society, 1935

The lines quoted above, written in 1935, could justhave easily been written today. Nearly a century afterthe federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 waspassed to protect native birds from wanton destruction,signi cant prosecutions for even the most egregious bird-related crimes remain elusive. Last year, birders wereappalled to learn the clubs that raise pigeons for sportacross the western United States were killing thousandsof hawks and falcons that preyed upon their pigeons. Thesituation grew even more disturbing when in case after

case federal judges handed down minimal penalties. TheAudubon Society of Portland is working at both the stateand federal levels to change this situation and ensure thatintentional malicious killing of protected bird species istreated with the seriousness that it deserves.

At the federal level, Congressman Peter DeFaziohas reintroduced theMigratory Bird Penalty andEnforcement Act, which wo ld elevate intentionaland malicio s killing of birds protected nder theMigratory Bird Treaty Act from misdemeanor tofelony stat s. Portland Audubon has been working withCongressman DeFazios staff to develop this legislation.Originally introduced toward the end of the 2008 legislativesession, the bill came too late to make much progress towardpassage. In the late fall, Portland Audubon ConservationDirector Bob Sallinger traveled to Washington, D.C., to buildsupport for the bill. The legislation has been re ned to notonly provide for felony charges but also to allow the U.S. Fish

Last year the Audubon Society of Portland and a numberof other conservation organizations represented byEarthjustice brought suit against the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService over a Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan andCritical Habitat Revision that would have dramaticallyreduced habitat protections for this rapidly decliningspecies. On April 1st the Obama administration announced

that it will not defend the Bush administrations actions.In its court ling, the government asked the court forpermission to withdraw last summers nal NorthernSpotted Owl Recovery Plan and Critical Habitat Revisionbecause a Department of the Interior investigative reportissued last December concluded that Bush administrationof cials inappropriately meddled in these actions. Thegovernment is seeking 30 days to work with the partiesin the pending court case to develop an agreed order thatwould resolve the pending litigation.

A status review for the Northern Spotted Owl released in2004 found that the species was continuing to experiencesteep population declines and advised strong protectionsfor all suitable owl habitat to prevent extinction of the species. Despite these dire ndings, the Bushadministration nalized a recovery plan for the owl in May2008 which actually reduced the level of habitat protectionfor the bird. Scienti c peer reviews roundly criticized theplan for not using the best available science. Members of the team responsible for developing the Recovery Plandenounced the plan because of political interference.Three months later the Bush administration used the

awed Recovery Plan to revise Spotted Owl Critical HabitatDesignations, removing the designation from 1.5 millionacres. In December 2007 the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) used the Recovery Plan to justify allowing for nearlya four-fold increase in logging on BLM lands.

The Obama administration request represents awelcome change of course. It adds even further

validation to conservation community concerns aboutthe unprecedented lack of respect for science andenvironmental law which marked the Bush administration.We have not yet seen details of what the government isproposing, so its impossible to say at this point whetherthe changes will be suf cient, but we are heartened by thesigni cant change in tone. Time is of the essence as timbersales are currently occurring under the Bush Recovery Planthat will undermine the Spotted Owls chance for recovery.

Wilderness Bill Passes!On March 30, 2009, President Obama signed the OmnibusPublic Lands Management Act. The legislation protectsmore than 2 million acres of wilderness and more than1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers across the nation.In Oregon it creates new wilderness areas at Mt. Hood,Copper Salmon, Soda Mountain, Spring Basin, and theBend Badlands.

The bill includes the 127,000-acre Lewis and ClarkWilderness on Mt. Hood. Of particular interest to

Ethnobotany in thePacific Northwest

with Deb ScrivensTuesday, May 12, 7pm

Heron Hall

Join Metro naturalist and interpretive plannerDeb Scrivens for an interactive presentation onethnobotany in the Paci c Northwest. Ethnobotany is the study of how humans use plants . We often

talk about the role of native vegetation in supportingwildlife communities, and humans have historicallydeveloped equally complex relationships with plants.Before the days of interstate trucking and overseasshipping, it was only practical for people to use localplant communities for their food, shelter, clothing,tools

Learn the ethics and safetyprotocols of plant harvestand take home a resourcelist for further study. In thishands-on program, we willcreate cordage and tea fromstinging nettles and learnabout plants traditionallyused for food, medicine,baskets, and more.

Debs af nity for plants andall things ethnobotanicalbegan as a teenager. Hercareer in parks began in1977 and has included reecology and wildlife studiesin many parts of the U.S. In 1985 she began working inenvironmental education in the Portland region. Today

she works as an interpretive planner with the MetroSustainability Center. Deb also founded and teaches inMetros Nature University, which will graduate its 14thclass of volunteers this spring.

Second Tuesday of the month f rom September to May.Free and open to the public. If you have a suggestion for

a Nature Night presentation, contact Catherine [email protected] or 503-292-6855 ext.129.

NATURE NIghT

Stinging Nettle in earlyspring Tammi Miller

This Peregrine Falcon was raised and released by PortlandAudubon in 2003. It was shot shortly after release, but no chargeswere ever brought against the shooter. Ken Barron

and Wildlife Service to provide rewards to people who report

bird-related crimes.At the state level, Audubon has been working with theOregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Hunters,Oregon Anglers, and other groups to develop legislationthat would increase penalties for a variety of wildlifeviolations. Included in House Bill 3089 are provisions that req ire mandatory Class A misdemeanor chargesfor taking of certain raptor species . Also included areprovisions that would allow the state to seekp to $5,000in civil damages for the killing of certain raptors.

We expect both bills to move forward over the course of the spring. It is our hope that passage of these bills willsend a strong message to prosecutors, courts, and potentialviolators that these crimes should be taken seriously.Wewill need the s stained s pport of o r membership topass both of these bills . To learn how you can help, go towww.audubonportland.org/news/legislation.

Bills Moving at State and Federal Levelsto Increase Penalties for Illegal Killing of Protected Birdsby Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director

Trapping and banding hawks at Bonney Butte, part of the newLewis and Clark Wilderness Area. Portland Audubon

Good News for Spotted Owls?by Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director

Auduboners is the inclusion of Bonney Butte in the Lewisand Clark Wilderness. This area is an important migratoryroute for birds of prey and a nationally recognizedImportant Bird Area. Susan Ash, former PortlandAudubon Conservation Director, worked relentlessly toassure its inclusion.

Thanks to the Oregon Delegation for their pursuit of thislandmark legislation, the largest wilderness designation inmore than a quarter of a century!



5/12

Wildli e Care Center Volunteers Needed forPortland-area Great BlueHeron Inventory

The Great Blue Heron is one of the Northwestsmost iconic species and is the of cial city birdof Portland. Each spring, herons nest in largecolonies known as rookeries at places such as RossIsland, Vancouver Lake, Smith and Bybee Lakes, andHeron Lakes Golf Course.

However, heron rookeries arehighly vulnerable to habitatalterations, human disturbance,and natural changes to theenvironment. The presence of herons on our urban landscapetells us much about whetherwe are doing enough to protectlocal wildlife habitat. Audubonbegan assembling information

about known heron rookeries in the Portland-Vancouvermetro area in 2007, and we are expanding that effort.

You can help with two parts of this project:First, we are seeking information on heron rookeries inClackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, andClark Counties. We need the following data: Location of rookery Number of nests Years in existence (if known)

Second, we will be looking for Heron Rookery SiteStewards to track changes at speci c heron rookeriesover the course of the year. We will pair individuals withrookeries near where they work or live.

If you know of a heron rookery in the Portland-Vancouver metro region or would like to be a HeronRookery Site Steward, please contact Mary Coolidge,Audubon Conservation Assistant Director, [email protected].

Tualatin River NWRSongbird FestivalMay 16 (Sat.), 10am2:30pm

Some of Portland Audubons education birds will be featured at the Tualatin River NationalWildlife Refuges Songbird Festival on Saturday,May 16th, 10am2:30pm. This free event at 19255SW Paci c Hwy in Sherwood will also includebirding and guided nature walks, hands-on educational crafts for kids, exhibits,food, and more. Watch for event details atwww.friendsoftualatinrefuge.org.

Many species of baby birds such as robins, scrub jays, crows, and owls leave the nest and spendas many as 25 days on the ground before they

can y. This is an absolutely normal and vital part of their development. They are cared for and protected bytheir parents and are taught vital life skills ( nding food,identifying predators, ying) during this period.Takingthese birds into captivity denies them the opport nityto learn skills that they will need to s rvive in the wild .Unless a bird is injured, it is essential to leave it outside tolearn from its parents.

If you are concerned that the bird fell from the nest tooearly, you may try to return the bird to its nest. If the nesthas been destroyed or is unreachable, you may substitutea strawberry basket or small box lined with tissue andsuspend it from a branchnear where yo believe the nestis located. Birds have a poor sense of smell and very strongparental instincts and will usually continue caring for theiryoung. However, adult birds are cautious after any type of disturbance andit may take several ho rs before theparents approach the nestling . During this period it isessential that humans not approach the nestling.

A edgling is a young bird that has left the nest; is fullyfeathered, with a short tail and wings; and is able to walk,hop, or ap its wings, but is still being cared for by itsparents.If yo find a fledgling, it sho ld be left aloneor, at most, placed into a nearby shr b. Keep peopleand pets away so that the parents will continue to carefor it until it can y. Placing edglings back into nests istypically only a short-term solution, as they will quickly re-emerge. Moving edglings to entirely new locations is alsoineffective, as they are still dependent on their parents forsurvival and will quickly starve if relocated.

DucklingsA group of baby birds often found is ducklings. Mallardslook for nesting locations away from likely predators, which

Needed: Homes for DomesticDucks and Ducklings,and Release Sites for Native Ducks

Many of the ducks and ducklings brought to the Wildlife CareCenter are domestics that have been abandoned into the wild.These ducks tend to do poorly, and they also occupy much-needed habitat from native waterfowl. The CareCenter is seeking people with farms and private ponds who are interested in adopting domestic ducks and ducklings.

The Care Center is also looking for people with natural duck habitat on their property who are willing to release native

ducks back into the wild. Please call Karen Munday at 503-292-6855 ext.122 if you are interested.

in urban environmentsmay include raccoons,coyotes, dogs, andcats. Urban parks aretypically overpopulatedwith ducks and itsnot uncommon forducks to nest as faras a mile from water;once the young hatch,the mother leads herducklings back to thenearest water source.

During this journey ducklings frequently become separatedfrom their mothers.If the mother is believed to benearby, it is best to leave the d ckling alone it will peepand alert the mother to its whereabouts. If the motherhas been spooked and has left her ducklings behind, theycan be gathered and placed into a cardboard box with thetop open to the sky. She will usually circle back shortly torelocate her ducklings.

For healthy lost or orphaned ducklings, we recommendthat you attempt to foster them back into the wild.Transport ducklings to nearby wetlands or ponds andlocate ducklings approximately the same age and size (nolarger.) Mother ducks cannot count and ducklings placednearby will usually swim over and become adopted intothe group. Care should be taken, though, not to overload asingle mother. Although success is not guaranteed, beingraised in the wild by a wild d ck is their best chancefor s rvival.

If you have any questions or nd a baby bird that is injured

or known to be orphaned, you cancall our Wildlife Care Center seven days a week between 9am and 5pm at 503-292-0304.

Red-tailed Hawk Returns to Wildafter Surviving Head-on Collision

A Red-tailed Hawk was released back to the wild just weeks after itmiraculously survived a head-on collision with a Ford Expedition onInterstate 5 south of Portland. The bird was struck with such force thatit broke through the vehicles grille and became lodged in front of the radiator(see story on page 5 of AprilsWarbler ). After a month of hospitalization andrehabilitation, the bird was released at Continental Farms in Aurora, not far fromwhere it was hit. It rapidly ew away and disappeared behind a grove of trees.

Mallard female with ducklings Jim Cruce

Spring means the start of Baby Bird Seasonin our Wildlife Care Center!

Do You Know What to DoIf You Find a Baby Bird?

Baby robins being cared forin a makeshift nest near where they

were found. Marti Stromberg

Oregon State Senior Trooper Mike

Hanson, who helped rescue the bird fromthe trucks grille, releases the hawk back to the wild. Marilyn Stinnett

Molly McAllister, Audubon veterinarian,and State Trooper Mike Hanson prepare torelease the feisty hawk. Marilyn Stinnett

Great Blue Heron Jim Cruce

Portland Audubon

Payment Method:Check enclosedVisaMastercardDiscover

Card#:

Exp:

Sponsorship Amount:$25 $60 $300 Other $

Donor Name:

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Sponsor a CamperConnect kids with amazing experiences in nature withAudubon Society of Portlands Community SummerCamps! Make it possible for a deserving young person tohave fun and learn about the environment this summer.For some of these kids, a Portland Audubon CommunityCamp is their very rst experience with nature! Yourgenerous gift of $60 will provide one day of camp, $300will give a child a complete week of natural history fun.

Whatever you give, it will help connect deserving kids toimpactful opportunities in nature. Sponsor a camper atwww.audubonportland.org or use this form:



6/12

August 2630, 2009

The Oregon Coast is both a beautiful and fascinatingpart of our state. Come with us to explore itsamazing natural history, from the thousands of migrating shorebirds to the surreal

elds of giant sand dunes, and on to thetowering old-growth forest of PortlandAudubonsTen Mile Creek Preserve.This area is recognized as an ImportantBird Area for the threatenedMarbledM rrelet and is rich with large, moss-draped trees and crystal-clear salmon-bearing creeks. For a more complete tripdescription see our website!

Fee: $595 members / $635 non-membersLeader: Steve Engel, Adult Education

Coordinator, experienced trip leader and naturalist

Educational Trips & Tours These trips are popular. We recommendthat you book early.

Malheur ForayMay 2731, 2009

Africa the word alone conjures up images of vast,ancient landscapes teaming with wildlife. Join us ona journey into the heart of South Africa where youllexperience several of the most amazing wildlife reserves onEarth, and feel for yourself the raw sights and sounds of the

Dark Continent.

Well y rst toCape Town, consideredby many the most beautiful city of Sub-Saharan Africa. As we adjust to the newtime zone, well spend the rst morningleisurely birding the citys famousKirstenbocsh National BotanicalGardens . In the afternoon well take thecable car to the top of majesticTableMo ntain that overlooks this grand city.After visiting the local market, well dineat one of the unique restaurants that CapeTown has to offer. The next day well headfor theCape of Good Hope, visiting TableMountain National Park and a colony of rareAfrican Peng ins along the way. Well get a close lookat the unique ora of the Cape region, which is one of theoldest bioregions in the world.

We then y north through Johannesburg to Hoedspruit,and from there into theKlaserie Reserve, famous for therich diversity of species that roam and/or y within itsborders.Elephant , B ffalo, andLion are all active here,as well as the rareWhite Rhinoceros ! Klaserie is alsohome to literally hundreds of species of birds, and werelikely to encounter theSo thern Carmine Bee-eater ,African Fish Eagle, Red and Yellow-billed Hornbills ,and the uniqueHamerkop , to name just a few.

The best way to experience the African bush is on foot,and well have the opportunity to do just that when we goon walking safari with some of the most knowledgeable

and experienced naturalists in South Africa. For ve dayswell be based at a secluded tent-camp on the banks of theKlaserie River, and from here youll experience Africa in away that few now get to do, with no fence between you andthe creatures that have roamed this land for millennia. Well

even go one step further and spend a night out far fromcamp, bedding down under the African stars, where each of us will take a turn, alone, at re watch.

The next segment of the trip will take us intoKr ger National Park , one of the mostfamous wildlife parks in the world. Staying incomfortable cottages in several different bushcamps, well explore the far northern regionsof the park, home to many endemic speciesof birds. Finally, we will spend our last 4 daysin Mashat National Park in Botswana,where you will witness herds of Elephant up-close and personal, as well asGiraffe, Zebra and many other species of mega mammalsthat can be found only here.

If youve always dreamed of experiencing Africa, thistrip will deliver. Group is limited to 12 participants,plus leaders. A deposit of $2,000 is required to secure your space . Deposits are fully refundable (minus cost of internal air if purchased) up to July 15, 2009. Please callSteve Robertson at 503-292-6855 ext.118 for furtherinformation.

What is included:All lodging, land transportation, internal airfare from Johannesburg to/from Hoedspruit, park fees, guide fees, and all meals except some dinners in Africa.Fee does not include airfare to/from Africa .

Fee: $4,985 members / $5,325 non-members(does not include airfare to/from Africa)

Leaders: Steve Robertson, Education Director,and local African guides

South Africa & Botswana

Lions in the wind Mike Calvin

October 18November 3, 2009

June 616, 2009

Explore the rich natural history and birds of Alaska! From Nome to Denali National Park to the Kenai Fjords, we willsample the best of what Alaska has to offer. Two spaces still available! For full information, contact Steve Engel, Audubontrip leader and Adult Education Coordinator, or see www.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/tours/alaskanome.Alaska to Nome and Back!

2 spacesstill available!

Dont miss out!2 spaces

left!

Oaxaca straddles the biological border separatingthe ranges of northern temperate and tropicalbirds. As a result it is home to well over 600 species

more than any other Mexican state many of whichare found nowhere else in the world. And if ever there wasa destination perfect for both the birder and non-birder,Oaxaca may be it. In addition to its colorful bird life, itis renowned as a place with the tangible feel of the OldMexico: colorful markets, vibrant native cultures, gracefulcathedrals and monuments, excellent museums, and arelaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Our trip begins in Oaxaca City, the beautiful and colorfulstate capital. Located in a large inter-mountain valley at5,000 feet, it basks in a balmy spring-like climate yearround. With our local bird and cultural exper t to guide us,well search for specialty birds of the valley as well as enjoyand learn about the rich cultural and artistic traditionsof the area. We may seek out the likes of Berylline andD sky H mmingbirds, Bo cards Wren, Red Warbler ,and Chestn t-sided Shrike Vireo in the morning, andvisit artisan villages famous for their weavings in theafternoon. Or perhaps well see our rstOaxaca Sparrowon the slopes of Monte Alban, one of the most spectaculararcheological sites in Mesoamerica.

Our day trips will lead us through different elevationsfrom pine/oak forest to humid cloud forest, where we mayencounter local species such asDwarf Jay, Aztec Thr sh,andCollared Towhee. Each afternoon well return to ourquiet hotel next to a shaded city park a short walk from the

British ColumbiaBirdingAugust 1923, 2009

Within sight of Vancouver, B.C., are thespectacular mountains of the NorthernCascades and the rich

waters of the Strait of Georgia. Wellbegin our trip in the mountainsof theManning Provicial Park .Among the conifers here we willsearch for high-elevation speciessuch as theAmerican Three-toedWoodpecker and Gray Jay, and if were lucky we may nd aBorealChickadee or Pine Grosbeak . Wellspend one day in theOkanagan,east of the mountains, where we willvisitLake Vase x. This lake andwetlands are a Canadian designatedImportant Bird Area, and well look

here for many species of waterfowlas well asAmerican Bittern , Lewiss Woodpecker, andYellow-headed Blackbird . From Manning we will driveto the coast and stay in Vancouver. Well drive south of the city to the great estuaries and tidal ats of Bo ndaryBay, George C. Reifel Bird Sanct ary, andIonaIsland, where there are numerous species of waterfowland every year thousands of shorebirds stop over to feed.

What is included : Ground transportation in British Columbia,4 nights double-occupancy lodging, all meals except dinners, and the services of your leaders. A portion of your fee is a tax-deductiblecontribution to the Audubon Society of Portland. Fee does not include airfare to and from B.C.

Fee: $895 members / $995 non-membersGro p size: 10 maximum

Leader: Dan van den Broek, Master Birder CoordinatorContact Dan van den Broek at [email protected] or 971-222-6105.

IndIaLate January and early February of 2010.Tentative fee: $4600. Group size 1012 maximum.Contact Steve Robertson, Audubon trip leaderand Education Director, for more information.

A m e r

i c a n

B i t t e r n

w

w w . B

j o r n

F r e d r i c k s o n . c o m

Oaxaca Sparrow Wink Gross

COMING SOON

famous central plaza, or zocalo,the cultural heart of the city.

Then we travel by van to thetropical evergreen forestsof the Atlantic slope, passing through the bird-richValle Nacional region on the way. In Tuxtepec, along theshores of the Rio Papaloapan, well be on the lookout forendemic species like theLong-tailed Wood Partridge ,R fo s-breasted Spinetail, Az re Hooded Jay, andS michrasts Wren , as well asKeel-billed To can,Bl e-gray Tanager, andEmerald To canet .

Beautiful Oaxaca City calls us back for our nal two days.Youll have time to explore this proud World HeritageSite, which has received much effort into making its manyattractions accessible to the visitor. On your own or withthe group, feel free to relax, visit museums, seek out morebirds, or sit at a sidewalk caf and watch the world go by.

What is included : All lodging, land transportation, park fees, guide fees, all meals except dinners, and the services of your leaders. A portion of your fee is a tax-deductible gift to the Audubon Society of Portland. Airfare is not included .

Fee: $1,585 members / $1,785 non-membersDeposit : $800Gro p size: 1214 participantsLeaders: Steve Engel, Adult Education Coordinator, withour experienced local birding guideContact Steve Engelat [email protected] or971-222-6119.

December 210, 2009

Birds and Culture ofOaxaca, Mexico

Double-crested

Cormorant Jim Cruce

Oregon Coast:Shorebirds, Sand Dunes, and Old-Growth



7/12

Trips & Classes HOW TO REGISTER

Contact: Steve Engel, AdultEducation Coordinator

Email: [email protected] : 971-222-6119

Credit Card Payment : We accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. A 3%processing fee is added to each transaction. Include card number, expirationdate, and billing address, or call Steve Engel and pay over the phone.

Adult Classes1. Phone or email with yourcontactinformation and the classes in which you wishto reserve one or more spaces.2. Mail in yo r payment right away. Makechecks payable to Audubon Society of Portland.3. Well contact you withconfirmation of payment and class details .

Educational Trips & Tours1. Phone or email toreq est a registrationpacket for the trips of interest.2. Complete and sign theRegistration / WaiverForm and return it with thereq ired deposit .3. Well contact you withconfirmation of payment and f rther details .

Mail: Audubon Society of Portland5151 NW Cornell Rd.Portland, OR 97210

Dragonflies of the Willamette Valley June 24 (Wed.), 7pm9pm: Class in Heron HallField Trip #1 : June 27 (Sat.), 10am3pmField Trip #2 : June 28 (Sun.), 10am3pm

Ever wonder how many species of dragon ies frequent your localwetland, or how they spend their days? Join Jim Johnsonfor anevening class on the Odonata, otherwise known as the dragon iesand damsel ies, to learn about various aspects of dragon y life, andespecially eld identi cation of the more common local species. The class will be followedby a eld trip to a local site on Saturday. (The eld trip will repeat on Sunday in order toaccommodate all you odonata-philes.) Class topics: What are dragon ies and damsel iesand what makes them different from other insects, life history from egg to adult, habitatpreferences, diet, and identi cation.

Participants sign up for the class andone field trip , ORjust the class session. Jim hastaught dragon y classes at Portland Audubon, The Wetlands Conservancy, and the TualatinRiver NWR. He serves on the executive council of the Dragon y Society of the Americas

and is working on a eld guide/manual to the Odonates of the Northwest.

Fee: Class only : $10 members / $15 non-membersFee: Class with one field trip: $35 members / $45 non-membersField trip limited to 12 participants. Pre-registration is req ired.

River Jewelwing Steve Berliner

Woodland Birds(thrushes, thrashers, woodpeckers)May 19 (Tues.), 7pm9pm in Heron Hall

Tonight birding expertHarry Nehls , author of local eld guides such as Birds of the Willamette Valley Regionand Familiar Birds of the Pacific Northwest , and SeniorContributor for Birds of Oregon, sheds light on the avian residents of our localwoodlands. Suspects considered also include feisty chickadees, dapper nuthatches,chatty wrens, and cute kinglets. Class includes slides, lecture, and handouts.

Fee: $10 members / $15 non-membersPre-registration is req ired; free for vol nteers.

Shorebirds July 14 (Tues.), 7pm9pm in Heron Hall

Twice a year our shorelines aregraced by globe-trotting shorebirds.These graceful birds are a joyto watch as they y swiftly over

ooded elds and mud ats. Justin time for southbound migration(yes! they do migrate south in July!), local expertHarry Nehlswill discuss both the common andmore elusive shorebirds that occur in the Northwest each year.Through slides and discussion Harry will explain some of thechallenges in shorebird identi cation. Learn how to tell a ploverfrom a sandpiper at a glance. This enjoyable class is perfect forboth casual nature lovers and birdwatchers of all skill levels.

Fee: $10 members / $15 non-membersPre-registration is req ired; free for vol nteers.

Semipalmated Plover.Tim Bowman/USFWS

Week 6: July 27 - 31 Herpetology 103(overnight Mon - Fri)

If you just cant get enough of those cold-blooded

vertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, then this is the campyouve been dreaming of! The beautiful Columbia Gorgewill be the setting where well learn to catch lizards the wayscientists do. Techniques will be taught to safely handleherps so that no one gets hurtyou OR them! Scour thedesert oor in search of the rare, but ever-so-cool PigmyShort-horned Lizard. Spend the week attempting to roustGopher Snakes, Skinks, Western Toads and more! Ancientvolcanoes and waterfalls will be searched for herps baskingin the sun and soaking in the shade. No rock will be leftunturned as we try to discover all there is to know aboutthese amazing creatures.

Fee: $375 members/$395 non-members

Discover the enchantment of Opal Creek with Audubon Naturalists as youexperience the majesty of trees that are more than 300 years old. Spend anentire week at Opal Creeks education center, the historic mining camp on Jawbone Flats, in the heart of this ancient forest wilderness. Contemplatethe history and ecology of the area while dipping your toes in the cool,clear waters of Opal Creek. Learn about ancient-forest-dependent speciessuch as the Northern Spotted Owl, Red-backed Vole, Marbled Murreletand Flying Squirrel. Our base is a rustic lodge that has three oors, a largestone replace and a resource library, all for our exclusive use. Bring yoursense of adventure and discover with us the mysteries of Opal Creek.

Fee: $415 members/$435 non-membersNote: Will ret rn at 3:30pm on Friday

For GradesEntering:

th th 6 8 For Grades Entering:

For Grades Entering:

th th 6 8

th th 4 5

Exciting camps for kids entering 1st12th grades!To reserve your spot, please call 971-222-6120.

Summer Camp 2009

For a complete listing of camps and availability,please visit us at www.audubonportland.org.

Here are just a Couple of this summers great camps!

Pileated Woodpecker www.BjornFredrickson.com

Summer Butterflies inthe Cascade MountainsAugust 7 (Fri.), 6pm7pm: Class in Heron Hall August 8 (Sat.), 10am3pm: Field Trip

Butter ies living in the Cascade Mountains emerge inmid-summer and hang out in the sunlit forest openings.Well see fritillaries, sulphurs, anglewings, other species,and maybe caterpillars too. Well be in owery meadowsand perhaps walk some easy trails. The Friday eveningclass will introduce the species likely to be seen and discuss their habits, and will also coverlogistics of the Saturday eld experience.Bill Neill, author of Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest , will lead both the class and eld trip.

Fee (Class only ): $10 members / $15 non-membersFee (Class and Field Trip): $30 members / $40 non-membersField Trip is limited to 12 participants. Pre-registration is req ired.

Fritillaries Steve Berliner

Week 7: August 3 - 7 Mysteries of Opal Creek 1(overnight Mon - Fri)

Week 8: August 10 - 14Mysteries of Opal Creek 2(overnight Mon - Fri)



8/12

Nature Store Highlights by Sally Loomis, Nature Store Book Buyer

The spring season has brought an abundance of coolnew birding and nature books. Here are some brief notes about a dozen new titles currently available in

the Nature Store please drop by and take a look!

The remarkable lives of three notable birders arehighlighted in recent books. Portland Audubons own DaveMarshall tells the story of his life in Memoirs of a Wildlife Biologist .* Another Oregon birderfamiliar to many of us is Eugene-based AlanContreras, author of Afield: Forty Years of Birding in the American West .* Olivia Gentile

has written a biography of thelate Phoebe Snetsinger, the newlypublished Life List: A Womans Quest for the Worlds Most Amazing Birds . Snetsinger isknown as the woman who listed over 8,000 birdspecies while battling cancer.

Birds of North America is a new complete photographicguide from the American Museum of Natural History, withphotos of every species. This is a coffee-table-type referencework, with information on population status, comparisonshots of similar species, and tidbits about behavior thatmake for lots of fun reading.

Taking an international perspective,The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds is also a great reference work, lushlyillustrated, with segments on a variety of bird families,including mini-essays on behavior and conservation issues.

The many fans of poet and essayist Gary Snyder here in the Northwest will enjoy his new workTamalpais Walking ,created in collaboration with woodcut artist Tom Killion.The artwork is gorgeous!

Unleashed is a collection of wildlifeportraits by Seattle artist CatherineEaton Skinner. The paintings truly

capture the spirit of the animals depicted, including awonderful peregrine on the front cover.

Reed College creative writing professor PeterRock sets his newest novel here in Forest Park. My Abandonment is based on a true story.

Well-known birding author PeteDunnes newest release is Prairie Spring: A Journey Into the Heart of a Season, acollection of essays about birding and ecologyset in the American heartland. This is the rstof a four-book series about the seasons.

Examining the stealthy impact of noise pollution, PortAngeles, WA author Gordon Hempton presentsOne Square Inch of Silence: One Mans Search for Natural Silence in a Noisy World . The book comes with a CD of natural soundscapes.

Environmentalism in Popular Culture: Gender, Race,Sexuality, and the Politics of the Natural by Noel Sturgeonis a critique of how environmental and natural images areused in popular culture, and how that impacts issues of environmental and social equity. Sturgeon is on the facultyof Washington State University.

Finally, fans of rodents should note that Tamara Eder hasreleasedSquirrels of North America , which expands andupdates her 1999 classic,Squirrels of the West .

*Mark yo r calendar for a special booksigning eventwith Dave Marshall and Alan Contreras on J ne 20 details next month.

Sanctuaries Native Plants of the MonthTom Costello, Sanctuaries Director

You most likely noticed the article on the frontpage about our upcoming Native Plant Sale, andyouve probably come to understand that, aroundhere, we like native plants. Here are a few of my personalfavorites, along with references that are, in my opinion,the best sources of information on plants, wildlife, andethnobotany. The plants and books below are all availablefor purchase at the Nature Store.

Vine Maple Acer circinatum:This small shrubby tree growswell in sun and shade alike, andwill tolerate dry to moist soilconditions. Vine maple boastscolorful fall foliage, frequentlygrows in arching clusters, andoften hosts a variety of mossesand lichens on its bark. With or without its leaves,I nd this to be one of the most attractive shrubs inour landscape. Pojar and MacKinnon (see So rces, below) describe some of its traditional uses: Thewood, though limited in size, is very dense and hard,

and is exible when fresh. It was used for snowshoe frames,drum hoops, and a variety of small implements. As for itswildlife value, Russell Link writes, Birds that eat the seedsinclude grosbeaks, woodpeckers, nuthatches, nches, quail,and grouse. Deer, mountain beavers, and beavers eat thewood and twigs. A larvae plant for the brown tissue mothand polyphemus moth, and a good nectar source for bees.

Salal Gaultheria shallon: Widespreadin our sanctuary, this small evergreenshrub typically grows to 2 or 3 feet inheight. Like the vine maple, salal cangrow in a variety of conditions, sun orshade, and will tolerate dry to moistsoils. Small pinkish-white owersbloom in the shady understory of our

forest. Daniel Mathews quotes David Douglas: April1825. Saturday the 9th in company with Mr. Scouler Iwent ashore on Cape Disappointment as the ship couldnot proceed up the river in consequence of heavy rainsand thick fogs. On stepping on the shore the Gaultheriashallon was the rst plant I took in my hands. So

pleased was I that I could scarcely seeanything but it. Mr. Menzies correctlyobserves that it would make avaluable addition to our gardens.Mathews also notes, According toKwakiutl protocol pure salal cakeswere exclusive fare for chiefs at feasts;the hoi polloi were allowed only cakes

of salal berries stretched with less sweet fruit. And forthe creatures Link writes, The berries are eaten by grouse,band-tailed pigeons, towhees, and other ground-feedingbirds. Bear, fox, coyotes, and smaller mammals also eat theberries. Twigs are eaten by deer. Leaves are eaten by brownel n butter y larvae.

Art Exhibit and Sale Features Don Baccus

During the month of May, we will feature the avian photography of Don Bacc sinthe Audubon Interpretive Center. His work is frequently seen on our website as wellas in the pages of theWarbler . Don has been photographing birds seriously for about25 years. His photographs have appeared in national magazines such as Birding , WildBird , National Geographic Kids, as well as in regional magazines, newspapers, and books. Hes apast board member of the Audubon Society of Portland, has volunteered for HawkWatchInternational since 1989, and created and nances http://birdnotes.net, a popular resource forPaci c Northwest birders. Dons framed photographs will be for sale with 40% of the proceedsgenerously donated to Portland Audubon.

Vine Maple shrub Tom Costello

Vine Maple leaves Toby Query

Salal Tammi Miller

Audubon Society o Portland gratefully acknowledges these thoughtful gifts:

You can honor a special person with a gift to AudubonSociety of Portland. Your gift will help fund a future

of inspiring people to love and protect nature.You can make an Honor or Memorial gift onlineat www.a d bonportland.org or by calling

971-222-6129. A songbird card acknowledging yourthoughtful gift will be sent to the honoree or family.

in M mory

K th Bud B ll n h mJennifer Snarski

R ch l Br yJim & Beverely Giuffre

Thom Bur

Katherine WoodRobert WhiteCora White

al M ll rEdward & Judith HansenEve & Denis Heidtmann

Oncology Unit at Kaiser PermanenteRachel & Bill Parmenter

Ray Rockof

M k UhtoffEdward & Judith HansenEve & Denis Heidtmann

Jack Richard

J. e rl & el nor WodtlMarilyn Stinnett

in Honorp m l L. eyd

Dick & Jackie Eyde

R b cc L t r & g h r K tzl rLisa A. Jones

g nn RoJeanne L. Beyer

The Audubon Society of Portland is a member of Earth Shareof Oregon. For more information, contact Earth Shareof Oregon at 503-223-9015 or on the web atwww.earthshare-oregon.org .

B r o w n

P e l i c a n

D

o n

B a c c u s

Western Bleeding Heart Dicentra Formosa:Graceful fernlike leaves and pendulous pink

owers make this perennial groundcovera beautiful choice for the home landscape.We are pleased to have a healthy populationgrowing wild in our sanctuary. Pojar andMacKinnon note that the bleeding heartprefers moist forests, ravines, and stream

banks at low to middle elevations. In your yard it willdo well in the shadier areas. Link notes, The owersattract hummingbirds and the leaves are eaten by clodiusparnassians butter y larvae.There is a little glob of faton each seed, which attractsants and ensures that theseed is moved around andnew patches established.

So rces:Pojar and MacKinnon: Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast ,

Lone Pine Publishing.Mathews, Daniel:Cascade-Olympic Natural History ,Raven Editions.Link, Russell: Landscaping

for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest ,Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Bleeding Heart Tammi Miller



9/12

by Harry NehlsField Notes

Sightings A large number of Greater and Lesser Sca pwinteredthis year on the Columbia River east of the Portlandairport. On February 27 Art Causing found a full adultmaleT fted D ckamong the ock. It remained intoApril, attracting a lot of attention. While checking the ockMarch 29, Shawneen Finnegan and David Mandell pickedout a bright maleRed-breasted Merganser cavorting witha group of Common Mergansers . Art Clausing checkedthe ock again March 30 and noticed a pair of BarrowsGoldeneyes among someCommon Goldeneyes.

Says Phoebesmade a good showing this spring. AdrianHinkle found the rst one March 1 in Oaks Bottom, withsome still being seen into April. They are uncommon springmigrants west of the Cascades. On March 19 Bill Bradfordreported twoMo ntain Bl ebirds on the Sandy RiverDelta. Several were seen there since. On March 26 JohnRichter observed a pair of Mo ntain Bl ebirds at PowellButte Park near Gresham.

A youngGolden Eaglehas been seen all spring ying overSauvie Island and Ridge eld NWR. Dave Helzer reportedthe rstOsprey near the Portland airport March 3. BillClemons reported that the Fernhill Wetlands bird returnedMarch 13. Most were back by the end of the month.

Mike Gellerman saw a group of earlyBlack-throated GrayWarblers March 16 at Bethany Pond in north Hillsboro.Cliff and Joanne Weber had a bright maleCalliopeH mmingbird at their Beaverton feeders March 25.

I knew it was aCowbird instantly, but was certainly amazed, commented Mrs. Althea Bailey when she reported the visitation of a male Cowbird to her feeding station above Oswego Lake. Mrs. Bailey was familiar with this comparative newcomer to WesternOregon from her experiences in Texas where they are common.

A female Cowbird visited the yard of Mrs. Scott Redfried, Jr.,regularly throughout the month of April, 1954. She reported that the attention of the family was first drawn to the Cowbird because it lit on their horse and walked about the horses feet feeding on disturbed insects. The complete fearlessness of theCowbird for the horse, and the care with which the horse stepped around the bird indicated some bond between the two.

The recent advance of the Cowbird into the Willamette Valleyis on a parallel with the House Finches which recently moved northward to establish themselves as an abundant bird inWestern Oregon. The House Finches first appeared at Portland,according to the records of the Warbler Editor, in 1939.

Tom McAllisters account of the rst Cowbirdsreported in the Portland area in the May 1955 Audubon Warbler

When the rst pioneers arrived, theCowbird was very rarein the Oregon Territory. Over the years it slowly increased so

that by 1925 it was a rare to uncommon summer residentin Lake, Harney, and Malheur Counties. It remained veryuncommon elsewhere until about 1950, when it began toincrease to uncommon to fairly common through easternOregon and Washington into southern British Columbia.

In the Willamette Valley it was considered a summerstraggler with a 1946 breeding record from Eugene. Theincrease during the 1950s brought it to uncommon tofairly common west of the Cascades.

Cowbird and House Finch Local History In recent years the Cowbird has been on a slow but steadydecrease. Its Oregon, Washington, and British Columbiapopulations are now about half of what they werefollowing the historic increase.

Prior to 1940 theHo se Finchwas a fairly commonspecies throughout eastern Oregon and northward intothe Umpqua Valley west of the Cascades. During thisperiod it was slowly increasing in eastern Washington, soits presence in Oregon may have been fairly recent.

By 1940 the House Finch had expandednorthward through the WillametteValley and had reached the Seattle areaby 1950. Its range now covers all of Oregon, Washington, and southernBritish Columbia. While the Oregonpopulation remains fairly constant or isslightly decreasing, the Washington andBritish Columbia populations are steadilyincreasing.

House Finch Jim Cruce

The Audubon Society of Portland takes pride in the factthat a large amount of its success is due to dedicatedvolunteers. Much of what we accomplish is through

their generosity and commitment.O r vol nteers devoted28,621 ho rs to A d bon d ring 2008!Thats a 22.5percent increase over 2007; and, in terms of equivalent staff,our volunteers would add 14 staff members!

At the Annual Volunteer Celebration, Audubon recognizesits most dedicated volunteers by awarding the MamieCampbell Award for volunteer achievement. Mamie was anardent conservationist in the 1920s and 30s. Establishedin 1985, the Mamie Campbell Award is given to volunteerswho have demonstrated time and time again that they arecommitted to Audubons mission. They have a sustainedand long-term commitment to Portland Audubon and havedemonstrated leadership and role-modeling qualities.

Don Coggswellhas helped lead eco-tours to Olympic National Park, twice to Costa Rica, and three times toboth the Klamath Basin and the Mt. Adams Elderhostel.Hes a wonderful trip leader. He exudes an un appablemellowness, while at the same time he uses his nely tuneddetection system to identify the needs of the people hesleading and to sense all of the wildlife in the area. Putanother way, hes sharp as a tack when it comes to birdingand very good with people. Don also helped build a newbunkhouse for Marmot Cabin so Audubon could continueto run overnight summer camps and outdoor schools at thesite. He worked on it for four days straight from sunup tosundown, always with a cheerful smile on his face.

Re ben Richshowed up for his rst Wildlife Care Centershift ve years ago. He cleaned cages, did loads of laundry

and dishes, medicated patients, and talked to manyconcerned visitors about living with wildlife. Hes quick tovolunteer for any task, no matter how dirty or mundane.Reuben is one of our education bird handlers so hes atAudubon often with Julio, Ruby, Finnegan, and mostrecently Aristophanes. To quote the Care Center staff, If youre in a pinch and need someone to drive an hour to getmice, pick up a hawk, deliver sacks of pine shavings, or beon a fundraising committee, then Reubens your guy.

Carole Hallett s knowledge and dedication when it comesto all things raptor is beyond measure, as is the generosityof her time to projects that help to improve raptor-humanrelations. She began her volunteer career at Audubon in the1980s as a Wildlife Care Center volunteer. She helps raise

birds of prey and hacks them back to the wild, feeding andmonitoring them until they are able to survive on theirown. Shes our master hawk rescuer and will catch birds thathave been trapped inside buildings. These days youll often

nd Carole on Sauvie Island where she does raptor surveys,installs and surveys kestrel nest boxes, and trains all of ourkestrel monitors.

It seems likeCindy von Ofenheimhas done just abouteverything at Audubon. Shes led sanctuary tours and beenthe receptionist. Shes helped with special events includingthe Native Plant Sale, Raptor Road Trip, and Wild ArtsFestival. She stepped up to be one of the original members of the Volunteer Council, lending her leadership skills to helpthe Volunteer Program be successful and those leadershipskills also helped make our rst Halloween event a wonderfulfamily activity last year. As a Nature Store volunteer, Cindy

picks up extra shifts and helps visitors with her birding skills.The store staff describes Cindy as a fun-loving person who isgreat with the public and willing to do anything you ask herto do. In short, they love her there!

And nally,Mandy Sims. Every nonpro t organizationneeds its own go to person, and ours is Mandy. Shevolunteers every week in the Wildlife Care Center whereshe helps with all the cleaning and rehab efforts. Shes verygood at helping people understand how they can live withurban wildlife as she answers questions, on the phone orin person, about woodpeckers and raccoons. She does it allwith a huge amount of enthusiasm that energizes everyonearound her. Going well beyond her shift, she helped catch aBald Eagle in Vancouver, and picked up mice from Newport

Volunteer of the Month:Sarah McCarty by Ann Takamoto and Gary Slone

Theres a lot of planning forBirdathon that happens behindthe scenes. It takes months tocontact sponsors and accumulateprizes, and to get teamsorganized, participants signedup, and pledges coming throughAudubons door. While this workis in full swing, we want to takea moment to acknowledge one

person whose contributions are critical to the effort, ourVol nteer of the Month, Sarah McCarty .

Sarah has been the backbone of the Birdathon PlanningCommittee for the past 9 years, doing whatever isneeded to assure that every registration is recorded,every participant is tracked, and every pledge isaccounted for, making sure that Counters and Pledgersalike have a great experience.

This year we asked Sarah to do one more thing helpus integrate our new Birdathon website into the work

ow, help make the transition from analog to digital asseamless as possible. No small task considering that wehave been doing things the same way for many years now.Sarah has taken to the new technologylike a duck towater and has beenunflappable, assuming her new roleas the Birdathon Webmaster with enthusiasm and ease.

Over the years, Sarah has ful lled many Birdathonroles and held numerous Birdathon titles, some of cialand some not, but her contributions have alwaysbeen invaluable. In the past, she took on the job as thecommittee chairwoman, for three separate years. Shesalso been the Birdathon prize coordinator, as well as afrequent eld trip leader for the Magpies. One year sheeven took the obscure title of Birdathon Oz, helpingBirdathon Coordinator Gary Slone in an advisorycapacity when her time for hands-on volunteering wasin short supply.

So, what does she do with her spare time? Shevolunteers for OHSU! And when not volunteeringfor Audubon or OHSU, Sarah is frequently traveling,birding and adding to her life list.

Please join us in honoring Sarahs outstanding volunteerservice. We greatly appreciate her gift of boundlessenergy, creativity, and enthusiasm. Audubon is certainlylucky to have such a dedicated bird lover!

Congratulations to Our Mamie CampbellAward Winners for 2009!by Deanna Sawtelle, Volunteer Coordinator Portland Audubon

and supplies from Aurora. When we need help maintainingthe ight cages, Mandys there. Last year she picked up over30 pumpkins for our Halloween event; and, if it werent forMandy, the education birds wouldnt have gravel for thebottom of their enclosures.

We thank these exceptional vol nteers for theircontin ed years of service and dedication!

Mamie Campbell Award winners (from left): Don Coggswell,Cindy von Ofenheim, Mandy Sims, Carole Hallett, andReuben Rich. Portland Audubon



10/12

These popular trips ll early andthere is often a waiting list.About 10 days before the trip, Isend a letter giving details like lodgingoptions, meeting place, schedule,possible birds, etc. You are responsiblefor your transportation, food, andlodging, and I try to help arrange

carpooling. We stay in the same lodging two nights. Wemeet for breakfast on Saturday, carpool and bird all day,and bird half of Sunday.

Registration is $35 per person for each weekend. Pleasemake your separate checks payable to the AudubonSociety of Portland . Register by Tuesday before theweekend you plan to attend.

Include the following registration information for eachweekend you wish to attend:Your name(s), address, phone, email, number of attendees, trip you wish to join, and amount enclosed.

Send the registration to Pa l S llivan,4470 SW M rray Blvd #26, Beaverton, OR 97005.Questions? Email Paul at [email protected] orcall 503-646-7889.Detailed registration information can be found inpreviousWarblers. See a complete 2009 schedule atwww.audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/weekends.

UPCOMING BIRDING WEEKENDSMay 2325 Malheur County Well explore the birding haunts of this spectacularcounty to nd spring migrants and early summernesters. Well look for shorebirds, raptors, waterfowl,and songbirds too.Base: Ontario.

June 67 Malheur NWR

We will visit this mecca of Oregon birding at the primetime to nd regular spring migrants. This is also anexcellent time of year for unusual vagrants.Base: Malhe r Field Station.

July 2526 Lane County Well visit Fern Ridge reservoir to see the diverse arrayof migrant shorebirds, as well as waterfowl and uplandsongbirds. We will also visit the coast at Florence.Base: E gene.

Paul Sullivan

Audubon BirdingWeekends 2009

A Portal to Birding Oregon

Welcome, New Members!

Portland Audubon is a force in conservation thanks to its strength in membership, standing together since 1902.We appreciate each and every one of our members and celebrate our membership by welcoming our newmembers monthly. Thank you for joining our vibrant and growing community!Katie Acheff

Julia AppleDevan ArchibaldAaron Babbie and Ara VallasterCathy BeachCynthia and

Avraham Ben-ZakenRonnie BoicourtShannon BuchananRob Burkhart

Jennifer and Philip Cappalonga Josh and Nikki CerraConnie Chapman

John ChappoGreg ChristiansonKasey ChurchRob ClumpRobert ColeMargaret CruiseBarbara Cuesta

Jennifer DAvanzoDarcel and Robert DillardGina Drew

Jocelyn DuffyDaniel DyerLaura EhrlichPeter and Nancy Fenner

Cheryl FischerNick FishPeggy FowlerTamara FranksHugh and Mary GingellT. K. Goldenbaum

Jennifer Hanson andDavid VanSpeybroeck

Julie and Ron HeathFinn HenellCheryl HillEvelyn HoffmanNoah HombergPatsy HombergSamuel ImperatiVirginia Israelit

Jeri JenkinsCarol JensenErnest JonesWilliam JourdanDebra JoyFrank JungaLisa KinsleyDrew Laurence and

Yvonne FarrellIta Lindquist and Todd KaehlerAnna Lio and Brian McIntyre

Kristi LopakkaElaine MayLinda McGavinMelissa Medick Michael MerrillKristen and Steve MerrymanMaurice MillerHenry MillerMoody FamilyErin MooreCelia Ruth MoreauSusan Mroz

Jody Naff Helena NeumannMelissa OcanaKate Ostergren

John OTooleRenee and Michael ParadisSuzanne and David ParsonsMichael PrecureSusan RaeburnPaula RebsomTom RichardsonBruce RollKristin Rostad and

Devan ArchibaldAllen and Martha Rouse

Johnny Sasko Jo SchmitzBrian ScottH. David SpechtMelanie SpitzerAlegria StaplesErin StarvelBarbara StikkerPaul and Sharon StillwellSusan StoneDrew SwayneMihae Lim Tallian and

Andrew TallianMary Ann and John TawneyAnnakate TreskeR. Craig WallaceBrian WannamakerNicholas WegenerRobert WelleLisa WhitridgeMatt and Amanda WilsonBenjamin Wishnek Shirley WodtkeSam WoodwardNorris WynnDavid WynnShannon Young

If you would like to join us or have any questions about membership, please contact Catherine [email protected] or 503-292-6855.

Audubon Society of Portland is proud to sponsorthe 2009 season of weekday morning Bird SongWalks! From beginners to advanced birders,anyone who is fascinated by the sounds of birds shouldtake advantage of these guided walks to the Metro areasprime spring migration hot-spots. By starting with theearliest trips you can learn the songs of the commonresident species, and then when the migrants arrive youllbe able to sort them out during the morning chorus.

The Bird Song Walks visitTryon Creek State Park inSW Portland on Monday, BeavertonsT alatin HillsNat re Park on Tuesday,Mt. Tabor in east-centralPortland on Wednesday, The Nature ConservancysCamassia Preserve in West Linn on Thursday, and

Bird Song Walks 2009the Pittock Mansion in Portlands West Hills on Friday.Leaders include Paul Sullivan, Gerard Lillie, and otherAudubon naturalists.

All walks begin at 7am, are free of charge, and last fromone to two hours. Walkers leave whenever they need to forwork. No pre-registration required. Bring your binocularsand eld guide and be sure to dress properly for theweather; spring mornings can be surprisingly chilly. Trytaking the bus or MAX (routes and phone numbers aregiven below). For natural history information, maps, anddirections for any of these natural areas, seeWild in theCity: A Guide to Portlands Natural Areas, available at thePortland Audubon Nature Store.

Wednesdays

Mt. TaborDirections : From SE Belmont, gosouth on SE 69th two short blocks. Just into the park, turnright and drive as far as possible to the gate . Park alongthe street. Mt. Tabor Park is closed to vehicle traf c onWednesdays, so be sure to use this entrance. [Mt. Tabor

TriMet Bus #15 stops at SE 69th & Yamhill; call 503-231-3215 or check www.trimet.org]. Walks start at 7am.

Tualatin Hills Nature ParkDirections : From the WestsideMAX [www.trimet.org] get off atMerlo Road Station and walk downthe trail into the preserve to theInterpretive Center. By car, takeMurray Blvd south from Hwy 26

to Millikan Blvd. Turn right onto Millikan; the park is at15655 SW Millikan, just past the second railroad tracks.Walks start at 7am.

April 28May 5

May 12May 19

May 26 June 2

April 29May 6

May 13May 20

May 27 June 3

Tuesdays

Tryon Creek State ParkDirections : Take the Terwilliger Blvd Exit off I-5 and headsouth on Terwilliger toward Lewis and Clark College. Stayon Terwilliger Blvd past the intersections with Taylors FerryRoad and with Boones Ferry Road. At the traf c circle,continue past the entrance to Lewis and Clark NorthwestSchool of Law and follow the brown sign to Tryon CreekState Park, which is approximately 1 mile ahead on theright. [Lewis & Clark TriMet Bus #39 stops at the parkentrance, 0.4 miles from the Nature Center; call 503-231-3239 or check www.trimet.org.] Meet at the entrance to the Nature Center. Walks start at 7am.

April 27May 4

May 11May 18

May 25 June 1

Mondays

ThursdaysApril 30May 7

May 14May 21

May 28 June 4

The Nature ConservancysCamassia PreserveDirections : Take Exit 8 off I-205and turn toward Oregon City (butdont cross the river). At the76 gasstation, turn right then left to follow Willamette Falls Dr.Turn right on Sunset, cross I-205, and immediately turn

right on Walnut St. The preserve is at the end of WalnutSt. Walks start at 7am.

FridaysMay 1May 8May 15

May 22May 29

June 5

Pittock MansionDirections : Follow W Burnside about 1.2 miles west of NW 23rd and turn right onto NW BarnesRd. Follow the well-marked signs through the neighborhood for another 0.7 mile; meet in the PittockMansion parking lot [West Burnside TriMet Bus #20 stops at the bottom of the hill; call 503-231-3220or check www.trimet.org]. Walks start at 7am.

White-crowned Sparrow Don Baccus

Bewicks Wren Jim Cruce

Lazuli Bunting Jim Cruce

For Ed cation:Laptop computer Powerpoint Projector

For Sanct ary:Loppers Hand saws Work gloves

Watering wand hose attachment

For Wildlife Care Center:Science Diet Kitten Growth Aquariums Kiddie Pools

Dawn Dishwashing Detergent Welding GlovesCamper/Trailer Untreated Wood: 2x4, 4x4, 4x8

If you can donate these items, please firstcontact Audubon Society of Portland at

503-292-6855 ext.102, MonFri, to arrangea time for delivery/pick-up.

Thank you to:Wish List & Thank yous

Our Wish List :

Jeanette Egger for 2 long-handled pruners, 3 pairsof gloves, and 4 bottles of Dawn dish soap

Catherine Fredrickson for cat food and a pet carrierfor the Wildlife Care Center

Mark Green eld for a lm Minolta X700 SLR camera,case, zoom lenses, and a Leupold 25x50 scope

Judith Hansen for 7 Wild Arts posters and historicalphotos

Claudia McNellis for a MacBook laptop David Smith for a laptop and a scope with a mount Food Front Co-op for a donation to Nature Store events Old Wives Tales for a donation to Nature Store events Steves Cheese for a donation to Nature Store events



11/12

Important Bird Area o the Month

Smith and Bybee WetlandsNatural Area

by Mary Coolidge, Assistant Conservation Director

Historical and EcologicalSignificanceMost Portlanders know that our fair city hosts both thelargest urban forested park and the smallest urban park inthe nation. Less well known is that we also house one of thenations largest protected urban wetlands, the nearly 2,000-acre area formerly known as Smith and Bybee Lakes. TheImportant Bird Area designation also encompasses the 240-acre St. Johns Land ll, which provides valuable grasslandhabitat adjacent to the wetlands.

Over 200 years ago, the area was a complex of channels,sloughs, wetlands, ponds, and forests that acted as a

oodplain at the con uence of the Willamette andColumbia Rivers. Like many industrial riparian areas, thisarea underwent much dredging, diking, lling, clearing,and development.Smith and Bybee Wetlands Nat ralArea now sits amidst North Portland warehouses, factories,port terminals, and roadways, but still acts as a remnantof the estuary system, providing stormwater ood storage,important sh and wildlife habitat, groundwater rechargeand ltration, and accessible open space for education,recreation, and wildlife viewing. Visitors may be surprisedto see River Otter, Beaver, Bald Eagle, Western PaintedTurtle, and Black-tailed Deer all inhabiting this industriallysituated site.

Management efforts by Metro and advocacy by Friends of Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area are facilitating thesites return to its historical ecology. Installation of a watercontrol structure in 2003 allows for control of the water

ow between the Columbia Slough and Bybee Lake. Thisprovides sh passage and affords the imitation of historic

hydrological conditions. Seasonal lowering of water levelscreates an emergent wetland, exposes mud ats, andimproves the natural diversity of the ecosystem, includingrestoration of a riparian willow forest. The wetlands areprotected by aNatural Resources Management Planadoptedin 1990 to maintain and enhance the wetlands to theextent possible, in a manner that is faithful to their originalnatural condition.

The St. Johns Land ll, a 238-acre land area which contains50 years of Portlands garbage, is an important inclusionwithin the Important Bird Area. Upon its closure in 1991,the land ll was capped and continues to be used for

methane collection. The possibility of contaminated leachate seeping intosurface and groundwater is an ongoingconcern, and multi-year monitoring isrequired under a DEQ closure permitfor the land ll. This is part of aneffort to reintegrate the land ll into itssurrounding environment.

The only documented breedingpopulation of Streaked HornedLarks in Multnomah County exists onthe nearby Port of PortlandownedRivergate site, and they have beenobserved within the wildlife area of the land ll in winter months. Metrohas seeded native grasses and forbs on

ve acres, and is discussing a candidateconservation agreement with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceto monitor for the Streaked Horned Lark at the land ll,which would guide habitat restoration efforts for the species.This agreement would also provide Metro with someprotections against additional regulation should the StreakedHorned Lark ever be listed federally.

Non-native species at Smith and Bybee are the usual cast of characters in the Willamette Valley: Himalayan Blackberry,Reed Canarygrass, Thistle, Purple Loosestrife, Nutria,European Starling, Eastern Cottontail, Bullfrog, and Carp.Invasive species pose an increasing threat to wildlife,particularly taken in the context of a host of cumulativeenvironmental impacts. Climate change, development, andhabitat fragmentation alone result in considerable additive

pressures to birds and wildlife. Natural areas like Smith andBybee Wetlands, together with other anchor natural areasin the urban landscape andsecondary habitats like parks,greenspaces, and naturescapedbackyards, provide crucialcontiguous habitat throughour urban areas for a diversearray of birds, mammals, andamphibians. Non-native plant

species crowd out native ora and degrade the habitat withwhich our native fauna have coevolved, diminishing theirfood and cover resources. Efforts to manage invasives atSmith and Bybee are ongoing.

Species of OrnithologicalSignificanceSmith and Bybee Wetlands are known to host over 100 birdspecies.Great Bl e Heron nest on site, as well a

Date post:	29-May-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	portland-audubon-society
View:	221 times
Download:	0 times

May 2009 Warbler Newsletter Portland Audubon Society

Documents